<p>I am a prospective chemical engineer at Cornell. I have a choice of three math classes to take to fulfill my fourth math requirement: Linear Algebra, Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics, or Uncertainty Analysis in Engineering. CE stats is only in the fall, and regular engineering stats is only in the spring. Apparently, linear algebra is "sort of but not really" useful in later Cheme classes, while stats is, particularly in unit operations and senior design. I also heard regular engineering statistics is excessively hard. Any advice?</p>
<p>I felt a few IQ points smarter after taking Linear Algebra. I think its hard to directly apply its concepts to anything I am doing in my science courses yet; but if you say stats is extensively used in your field of study then take that.</p>
<p>Linear algebra is useful for studying linear systems. One could make the case that senior design has you designing a chemical plant, so you could use graph theory, where spectral graph thry (linear algebra) might come in handy (you think I joke: <a href=“http://www.che.iitm.ac.in/~naras/ch547/ch547_contents.html”>http://www.che.iitm.ac.in/~naras/ch547/ch547_contents.html</a>).</p>
<p>I looked up the related courses at Cornell to be sure (descriptions below). CEE 3040 seems like a much more fun class to me than the general engr stats course. Assuming that the instructor is not ridiculous, the course material for both is fairly straightforward. Honestly, I am surprised that the linear algebra course, which seems to include the intro to ODEs, is optional, but forced to choose between linear algebra and stats, I would probably choose stats. The basic necessities of linear algebra (matrices, eigenvalues, …?) can be picked up fairly easily.</p>
<p>ENGRD 2700 - Gives students a working knowledge of basic probability and statistics and their application to engineering. Includes computer analysis of data and simulation. Topics include random variables, probability distributions, expectation, estimation, testing, experimental design, quality control, and regression.</p>
<p>CEE 3040 - Introduction to probability theory and statistical techniques, with examples from civil, environmental, biological, and related disciplines. Covers data presentation, commonly used probability distributions describing natural phenomena and material properties, parameter estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression, and nonparametric statistics. Examples include structural reliability, windspeed/flood distributions, pollutant concentrations, and models of vehicle arrivals.</p>
<p>MATH 2940 - Linear algebra and its applications. Topics include matrices, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality and inner product spaces; applications include brief introductions to difference equations, Markov chains, and systems of linear ordinary differential equations. May include computer use in solving problems. </p>
<p>lol i also forgot to mention that apparently, we learn a bunch of linear algebra concepts in differential equations, the course I’m taking now…</p>
<p>I’m a math major. I think Linear Algebra was my least favorite class, although I will certainly have to mention I have seen it everywhere throughout my undergrad career.</p>
<p>Stats would be more useful for chemical engineering, I would think.</p>
<p>Of course linear algebra is the central mathematical topic that enables numerical analysis, so it is quite useful itself.</p>
<p>I’m going to take stats…i think i will take lin alg in the spring. thanks for the advice!</p>